Toy train operating and collecting

Recieved the Lionel PRR Mikado Jr. over the Holliday season and loved it right out of the box.  However, there is smoke coming out of the cylnders in front of the drive rods.  There is plenty of smoke coming out of the stack but also the cylnders.  It looks pretty realistic like steam but I don't believe Lionel meant for the smoke unit to also push smoke out the sides of the locomotive.  Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks,

 Jim

My Mikado dose the same thing and have seen others that way. Mine is from the Hotbox Reefer set, so I don't know if is the same as yours. The smoke coming from the drive rods looks like the steam coming from the cylinders.

JT 

If I remember correctly they do have some steam engines with this feature. Some one else with a more definitive answer will chime in I am sure.

I don't own a junior Mike but steam leaking from the cylinders is a feature common with Lionel steamers. The instructions typically tell you if it includes this feature. On a real steamer, it means the piston rod packings are shot. If your Mike is not supposed to do this, then the stack may be partially clogged with fluid forcing smoke out where-ever it can go. This is a common problem with diesels. Blowing in the stack or dabbing a toothpick in there often clears it up.

 They all do it.  Maybe someday they'll make a replacement up-grade.

Jon

Mine is from the Pennsy Fast Frieght set breakup I believe.  So this does not need repaired it just is-what-it-is?  I kind of like it as long as no damage is being done, looks cool, adds some realism.

 Jim

There is no damage being done. Not unless there is rear smoke coming out of it.

 "realistic steam chest emissions" comes to mind. Several of the Hudsons from 1990 on have it and its listed as a feature on the box. I imagine it is in other steamers as well.

Steam coming from the cylinder area on a real locomotive is not indicative of bad rod packings. If the engineer has the cylinder drain cocks set to open, lots of steam is present then. They are open during starting and slow speed running to ensure that the steam does not condense in the cylinders and cause a hydraulic lock, which could severly damage the cylinder heads or pistons.

JamesShannon:

ind of like it as long as no damage is being done, looks cool, adds some realism.

 Jim

I intenally plug the stack on my tunnel motor so the smoke poors out of the intakes and cab windows. It's cool to watch and hasn't hurt the engine one bit (it's conventional).

The Polar Express loco does this and adds to its appeal in my estimation.  I'd rather have it than not.

3railguy:

I don't own a junior Mike but steam leaking from the cylinders is a feature common with Lionel steamers. The instructions typically tell you if it includes this feature. On a real steamer, it means the piston rod packings are shot. If your Mike is not supposed to do this, then the stack may be partially clogged with fluid forcing smoke out where-ever it can go. This is a common problem with diesels. Blowing in the stack or dabbing a toothpick in there often clears it up.

  Hi John,

  If You find one of these in a road name that you like, they are Wonderful, VERY SMOOTH runners, and will not just pull the wall paper off the wall, but take the wall with them, they are very strong pullers. Excellent Locomotive for the money, and the best detailing that I have seen in an 027 locomotive. Becareful though, you might find that they can be like Lay's potato chips, one just isn't enough.

I give a Two Thumbs Up to these.

Doug

I have this engine and it also steams out around cylinders etc.  My engine didn't make much smoke when I got it so I ended up modifiying some things.  Mine is the TMCC engine and I run it in conventional transformer mode.  Maybe this is why.  What kind of version do you have and does it smoke at lower speeds?  This is my favorite engine, it pulls anything I can put behind it and it looks awesome.   Best wishes.

Mine is also TMCC running in transformer mode.  My Polar Express only smokes from the stack.  I love this locomotive and was already thinking about getting more.  I also have the traditional size K4 in TMCC and I love that also.

Jim

The smoke you see coming out around the cylinders is because the the plastic plunger that makes the puffing is a little too small for the housing it goes in, and thus smoke leaks out around it.  I've had one apart and seen this first-hand.  Whether this is by design or not is anybody's guess, but I can't see anyway to fix it, short of Lionel supplying a replacement part.